Hello. I think I must be on a one woman crusade, to rescue all useful stuff bound for landfill. I took my old brown crappy cheap and nasty cupboard to the council tip today. Broke it up to fit in the car. What did I do when I was there, had a nosy in a car full to the brim with stuff which didn't look like junk to me. The owners happily passed me a few things before they got tossed in the skip. I could have taken more, but the attendant advised that I should be doing my rescuing outside the gate, not on the premises. The owners just wanted rid of it and didn't want to sort it and give it to me out on the roadside.
This is what I managed to grab before it was dumped. The woman was more helpful than her husband, she loaded some of it in my car. Three big cushions, they look clean but I will wash the covers, and pass them on to the church.
Nice to see some new readers commenting. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon. Enjoy your Sunday.
Toodle pip
You did well there.I think its so much better to recycle things these days.Plus its more fun.Also your'e helping others.Last year whilst on holiday ,by the bins a lady I know left a pair of Clark's boots.I took them home they were a size 7 and too big but my cousin loved them.Another time cushions with seaside themeand wrought iron fruit bowl and a good quality garden chair .There was 2.left one.I thanked the lady later and she then went and said she wanted me to have the seat pad too.It would have been expensive new. x
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable what people throw away rather than give to a charity shop, free cycle etc. Glad you got some of it.
ReplyDeleteSandy
Good for you Ilona, (I didn't miss the L out of your name this time, that's predictive text for you!) It's amazing what some people throw out. Amazing, disgusting and wasteful. Landfill problems aside, just think of all the money that could be raised if it was taken to charity shops in the first place. A simple sort and one journey to a charity shop before taking the unsuitable stuff to the tip wouldn't be too difficult. Some people just don't care. At least you rescued some bits this time. Jean.
ReplyDeleteIlona- please don't stop rescuing items from the trash! Not alone are you saving things from a landfill, you are a tremendous source of inspiration on what can be done with a few simple supplies and gobs of imagination. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHave you watched the TV show on BBC1, I think it's called 'Money for Nothing'. The presenter there, who is a restorer herself, goes to tips and recycling places (has special permission to do this) and takes away anything that she can remodel to something else. She does speak to the owners who are dropping it off and they also give their permission. She, Sara, has a few experts around the country she takes things to, a couple of blacksmiths who repurpose metal things, a really good upholsterer who rejuvenates chairs and settees and a host of other people who make something useful out of old, tired stuff. She takes three things every programme, two for others to do and a smaller project for herself. When they're finished she sells them and gives the profit to the person who was getting rid of it at the tip. It is a very good programme, but is only on now and again, usually early afternoon. You might enjoy it,if you can get it on Catch Up or whatever you use for old programmes.
ReplyDeleteJoan (Wales)
Hi Joan, yes I have seen it. Some of the renovation costs are very high, I find it hard to believe she gets the price she asks for them.
DeleteSo do I Ilona. They are lovely and some of them unique, and I wouldn't pay some of the prices quoted, but then again it is mainly London where she sells them.
DeleteJoan (Wales)
I live in the U.S. and people do pay crazy prices for unique and one of a kind items. I'm sure there are people in the U.K. that are willing to do the same. I, however, do like those types of shows for inspiration. I wouldn't go looking for the same specific item to remake or repurpose, but it helps me look at items differently and helps me rethink about utilizing something that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Although, I will say Ilona, you seem to do a pretty good job of that on your own. Ranee (MN)
DeleteIt's just appalling that people throw away it items like this, I can't imagine just dumping a brand new iron!! There are charity shops on every corner nowadays who would be glad of these items, it's no wonder we have such a landfill problem in this country. Well done with rescuing these things Ilona.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jean! This "throwaway" attitude is shocking and oh-so- wasteful. We have a huge donation centre in town that is clean, bright and organised. Not only do people get chance to purchase nearly-new for substantially less, but it offers employment to loads of local people. I do estate work and am constantly amazed by the quality goods that end up being donated because family don't want them.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend! Barbara (in Canada)
Ilona, I used to stay at Fimber, near Thixendale, and my late husband worked at Fridaythorpe. It is a lovely area. Also, I applaud you for so generously passing items on which you have salvaged. It has certainly been your week! Susan (wife of Edward)
ReplyDeleteFor the life of me I cannot understand why people throw out perfectly useful items like the clock and iron. Why not donate to charity!?!
ReplyDeleteHello Ilona , I enjoy reading your blog but haven't commented before, I also find it remarkable what people throw away at these places I stopped a posh looking lady who was throwing a small table away last week and asked if I could have it my friend up cycles so she was very pleased to receive it it's not just furniture and house hold items though, I saw a man through a box of DVDs in the other day all fairly new releases and the charity bins were just a quick drive round the corner people have more money than sense!! Bev
ReplyDeleteBeautiful items Ilona. Well done. I have to resist too. Here we have curbside collection once a year. It is illegal to pick from the piles people put out but everyone does. Over the years we have restored a fold up wooden table and 2 chairs as well as 2 benches for the garden. Last year I saw a big wrought iron table but couldn't move it. We really value the things we have rescued and when we are done with them, hopefully someone else will find a used for them. Jane.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, also sharing the finds to help charity!
ReplyDeleteI like those cushions 😊
Great finds at the tip! Perhaps your cat charity could place an ad in the local paper for people to donate unwanted items. Or advertise a day of donation outside the tip area. If I lived near you, I'd love to participate in the charity. Indiana is a bit too far away!
ReplyDeleteHi. A good idea, but we haven't the storage facilities to keep large quantities of items.
DeleteWow I can't believe the perfectly good stuff people take to throw away! Why can't they at least donate it. Many pet shelters would gladly take pillows and blankets, and those picture frames were quite nice.
ReplyDeleteI have found a few things on my walks,but never the quality of what you been getting. I have a hard time understanding why people three good stuff away when there is so many people needing stuff.Good for you for saving it.
ReplyDeleteInteresting finds. I like the clock! What's one man's trash is another man's treasure! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteWell done for the rescue. Far too much goes nowadays. Everything has a value - that is why children in parts of the world pick over massive rubbish tips scavenging for bits they can sell on. What a scandal. Your rescued items are an inspiration. Natalie
ReplyDeleteHow can people throw out good stuff like that without hesitation or guilt?
ReplyDeleteBut from your point of view I suppose it's a good thing they do:-)
Hi Ilona
ReplyDeleteGreat haul, I'm impressed! I was at the tip yesterday and got a lovely ornamental birdcage that the man was just about to throw in the skip-think I might use it for putting plants in. Last week I got (after asking nicely!) several boxes of new, white tiles from a skip-i have given these to a local charity that I am involved in.
Jules x
well done you, we have a charity which is situated by the local tip, only one road in and its literally yards from tip, they rescue stuff and people just carry on round with what they cant take, I think we should have one of these by every tip. with the council wanting to reduce waste, this would seem to be a good solution all round, but of course takes a lot of organising. I'm forever freecycling and giving stuff away and swapsies with friends. no longer bringing stuff in so much anyway, we are thinking of moving in the next year or so, so already I'm weeding out stuff. Everything takes so much time though, and I feel like I have to find good homes for things. I can imagine, electricals like the iron are not easy to offload at charities, if you are moving you just want stuff gone, you may feel guilty but time is of the essence, freecycling is okay, but have had quite weird people at times and some downright rude too, so its not for everyone. Putting stuff on the kerb is nice but also promotes the area as maybe not so well off, or encourages people to take whats not theirs on other occasions, for instance the scrapman (devils aren't they) dragged my old cooker from right by my gate, up the path and drive and away, it had only been there half an hour and I was giving it to my friend. After all said though I am a born recycler and like to make things, reuse stuff, for instance I had the lovely job in a temping job one day of sorting the stationery cupboard, I took in lots of vegetable and food plastic containers to sort all the bits and pieces out, and it looked pretty great after. keep up the good work of saving stuff, I'm sure we wont stem the tide, but we could make it a little slower. Julie T
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable but good for you for rescuing it. Brand new iron? Why would anyone tip that? I notice that at our tip some people chuck real rubbish and leave things that are still functional to the side for any takers.
ReplyDeleteI'm shocked people are just throwing these items away. It doesn't take much more effort to donate to a charity shop or freecycle. Good on you for rescuing them. X
ReplyDeleteMost tip owners put items like furniture etc to one side, I have paid a couple quid for the odd item I have seen at the tip over the years, smaller items are sold on. I expect that's why the owner came over and tried to stop you. lol That's how they earn a living.
ReplyDeleteHi. The tip is owned by the council, the attendant is an employee, there are cameras watching over the whole site. I don't think the man would put his job at risk for the sake of making a few quid.
DeleteSorry the privately owned tip sites.
DeleteStrangely a couple of years ago the neighour dumped their wrought iron gates at the bottom of my garden.I was not going to risk speaking to them.A normal neighbour picked them both up and put them against his wall.They had their house number on.Someone did take them soon after,possibly the scrap man.They have dumped a full size trampoline on my property etc etc.Some people can't be bothered to even go to the tip .The normal neigh bour often puts stuff against his wall.so anyone can help themselves,it always goes . x
ReplyDeletefantastic... you are like a rescue dog... sorry my English is horrible
ReplyDeletegreetings from Bruges
I like the idea from Julie about having a charity shop next to the tip. There are those who take perfectly good items to the tip and those who donate absolute rubbish to charities. The charity has to pay for refuse removal.
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable what people toss!
ReplyDeleteOur local refuse-recycle centre has a shop that people can donate the stuff that's far too good to be thrown away. They have a different charity every month and have some great things including very good furniture that could easily be updated etc. I never need anything but it always amazes me why anyone would buy new when the older stuff is so much better quality. Do check out your clock Ilona as I bought a second hand one and it worked fine and then after a while it lost time everyday which is why it was being thrown I guess. Rae x
ReplyDeleteOk up to now. Keeping good time after 24 hours.
DeleteI just find the whole "on trend" world of belongings baffling . The endless urge to consume that is fostered everywhere you look . dont get it , dont take part and enjoy rooting in skips...lol
ReplyDeleteIt is enough to make you weep what gets thrown away. There are charities that help people who have nothing furnish accommodation they get. People seemingly cant be bothered anymore what a waste.
ReplyDeleteThe highlight of my day yesterday was a trip to the tip shop. I hate to see things thrown away.
ReplyDeletexx
we have the same rules here in Manchester at the council run tip - about not taking anything away - yet they are trying to encourage us to avoid sending stuff to landfill - I cant understand why they have this rule - well done Ilona - we (as a society) are throwing away far too much - whatever happened to getting things repaired??
ReplyDeletePart of the reason will be for health and safety, some people would take it too far and jump in skips if they wanted items etc. But, it would be good if items of use could be left in a special area for a day and if not claimed dumped the following morning. However, to get this to work it would need a very keen waste site as it would involve more work for operatives.
DeleteI was at the local tip many years ago, when a chap asked me if I knew in which bin he should throw a mirror (wood or glass). It was a massive, solid oak framed mirror and in almost perfect condition. I couldn't believe he was going to throw it away and said so. He asked me if I wanted it. I didn't because I did not have the room, but said I had a friend that would love it (my friend had been searching for ages for something like this). The lovely chap loaded it into my car and was really pleased that it was going to good use and it still hangs in pride of place in my friend's hall.
ReplyDeleteI am stunned, what folks are chucking. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteI truly don't understand the rules about not "taking anything away." Is there a rationale? I'm sorry to say that here in Oregon, where aluminum soda cans can be redeemed for a mere 5 cents each, there are many people who think that someone scavenging for the cans from the rubbish set by the road is "stealing"! I live in a large apartment complex and when I take my recycling to the dumpster I always set aside the cans that can be redeemed so that some conscientious person can recycle them and make a few cents. How can that possibly not be for the good of all of us? That said, I do seem to live in the country trying to destroy civilization, so maybe it should be obvious to me. But it isn't. My apologies to the rest of the world. (Not really joking, but I wish I was.) Kate in Oregon
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you rescued those things, I hate to see good, useful things go to waste. It's a shame the original owners thought it would be easier to take them to the tip, than to donate them.
ReplyDeletelovely!
ReplyDelete